CBRM News

Dates scheduled for public budget consultation meetings

February 5, 2013

Cape Breton Regional Municipality aims to "do more with what we have"SYDNEY, NS – Twelve meetings are scheduled across CBRM for residents to participate in the municipal government's 2013-14 budget setting process.

The new budget process is part of the CBRM's Reorganization Plan for Positive Change.

Mayor Cecil Clarke and each district's councillor will attend the meetings along with key CBRM staff including Interim CAO Marie Walsh.

Port Summit preparations are underway

January 28, 2013

Public hearing scheduled, invitations sent to stakeholders, tentative agenda set

SYDNEY, NS – Preparations are underway for the Port Summit to be held on February 21 and 22 at the Joan Harriss Cruise Pavilion in Sydney. The Port Summit will cover a wide range of topics concerning the commercialization of the port. It is a commitment in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality's Reorganization Plan for Positive Change.

"The summit's purpose is to have a factual and practical discussion about the commercialization and development of our port by bringing together the business, government, community and industry participants that have an interest in the future of our port," said Mayor Cecil Clarke.

Mayor Cecil Clarke says Council's approval of the agreement begins a period of labour stability that broadens the opportunity for an agenda of change to move forward.

"We are in a stable labour environment that now allows us all to focus on becoming a more efficient and effective municipal government," said Clarke. "I look forward to working with our dedicated employees to reach these goals."

The settlement offers 3 per cent in the past two years and 2.5 per cent in 2012-2016.

The wage offer reflects 3 per cent settlements negotiated with Inside workers in 2010 and 2011. The 2.5 per cent in the following four years reflects the normal bargaining history for this bargaining unit.

In preparation for the agreement, a budget accrual of 3 per cent occurred in 2010-11 and 2.2 per cent in 2011-12 to offset the assumed cost of a new wage settlement. The new agreement will result in an additional cost on the upcoming 2013-14 budget year.

Angus Fleming, Director of Human Resources for the Municipality, provided details of the agreement to Council, noting the negotiations began in June of 2012 and went to conciliation before a tentative agreement was reached on January 9, 2013.

"The tentative agreement will see only minor changes to language based on previous collective agreements," said Fleming. "The new collective agreement will add an air of labour stability, in that it covers six years ending October 31, 2016."

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Mayor outlines next steps for positive change agenda

January 22, 2013

Clarke talks about "the first 100 days" of Reorganization Plan for Positive ChangeSYDNEY, NS – Mayor Cecil Clarke delivered his first major address as Mayor of Cape Breton Regional Municipality today to an audience of 170 community and business leaders at a luncheon organized by the Cape Breton Partnership.

Clarke spoke about his goals for the first 100 days of his administration.

"We're 78 days in and have announced a number of key initiatives of the Reorganization Plan for Positive Change," said Clarke, reflecting on the progress made since Council's swearing in on November 5, 2012.

SYDNEY, NS - Residents of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality will be invited to attend a meeting in their own district and participate in public opinion surveys about the spending priorities for the region's $137 million budget.

Mayor Cecil Clarke today announced the Municipality will embark on a new budget process as part of the Reorganization Plan for Positive Change. This will include the region's first-ever public budget consultation tour. Clarke also outlined a two-day stakeholder session in Council chambers, budget workshops with CBRM staff and councillors and a consultation with CBRM employees about how they can strengthen their departments and find efficiencies.

Clarke announces dates for Port Summit

January 4, 2013

Mayor says summit is an important step forward for port development and jobsSYDNEY, NS – As part of Mayor Cecil Clarke's Reorganization Plan for Positive Change, a Port Summit will be held in Sydney on February 21 and 22 at the Joan Harris Cruise Pavillion.

"This summit is an important step forward to further commercialize and diversify our port and create jobs," said Clarke. "Job creation and economic development will be a key priority in the port's development. It is one of our great assets and a focus of our job creation plans."